The Nigerian Government has appealed to Nurses and Midwives to shelve their planned industrial action and return to the negotiation table.
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Muhammad Dingyadi, made the call on Tuesday in Abuja, during a meeting with the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM).
The engagement was part of efforts to avert the proposed strike.
Dr Dingyadi stressed that strike action is not the best solution to industrial disputes, urging the health workers to embrace dialogue, while the government continues to address their concerns.
A statement issued by the Head of Press and Public Relations in the Ministry, Mrs Patience Onuobia, disclosed that discussions would continue on Friday at the Ministry of Health, as the government works towards resolving the issues in contention.
However, the Chairman of the Association, Morakinyo Rilwan, stated that the Nigerian government had failed to engage meaningfully with the association within the window provided.
“As far as we are concerned, there has been no communication from the government to this moment. That is why we are saying the strike is going on, and nothing is stopping it.
“Even if the government calls today or tomorrow, it won’t stop the strike. They had enough time,” Rilwan said.
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The demands of the association include:
- An upward review of shift allowances,
- Adjustment of uniform allowance,
- Implementation of a separate salary structure for nurses,
- Increased core duty allowance,
- Mass employment of nurses, and
- Creation of a dedicated nursing department within the Federal Ministry of Health.
Rilwan stressed that the decision to embark on strike was not unilaterally taken by union leaders, but rather driven by widespread frustration among members due to long-standing neglect.
“This strike is not initiated by the leadership of the union; it was initiated by the members, and they said this is what they want.
“They are not even contemplating ‘no work, no pay,’ because that is the only language the government can use, and they are ready—because the money they are taking is not even enough for them.
“They are ready to sacrifice that as long as this strike continues.”
He further noted that the profession has endured decades of poor conditions while waiting for the right reforms to be implemented.
“For over 40 years, we have been patient with them. They subjected us to no provision of gloves or equipment, and for the past 40 years, nurses have not embarked on any strike,” he said.
Despite the minister’s intervention, health workers proceeded with their threat to commence a warning strike on Wednesday, following the expiration of a 15-day ultimatum issued on 14 July 2025.
The seven-day warning strike is expected to end on Tuesday, 5 August 2025.
At the expiration of the warning strike, the association said it would issue a fresh 21-day notice to the government, in accordance with labour laws.
If no positive response is received, the union said it would be compelled to commence an indefinite strike.